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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ajibola Basiru, paid a congratulatory visit to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Sunday following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
Basiru, accompanied by several APC chieftains including former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Akintunde Adegboye and Comrade Waheed Adediran, reaffirmed Governor Adeleke’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming presidential election.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting with governor Adeleke at the government house, Okefia, Osogbo, Basiru outlined three primary reasons for his call, expressing gratitude for a personal gesture, offering formal congratulations, and building political alignment.
“My visit here is threefold. First, I want to thank His Excellency for visiting my family when I lost my mother and for attending her burial in full ceremonial attire. As an Omoluabi, it is proper that I return the courtesy, which I could not do earlier due to the intense election campaign.
“Secondly, I am here to congratulate him on his victory, even though he defeated our party’s candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, for whom I campaigned vigorously across 12 local government areas.
“Thirdly, I want to thank him for endorsing President Bola Tinubu and to affirm our readiness to work together to deliver Osun massively for the President,” Basiru said.
He noted that political coalitions across party lines are gaining momentum nationally, citing similar cross-party dynamics in Rivers, Anambra, and Ekiti states.
He added that with the APC securing 46% of the vote in the recent Osun contest, a joint effort could yield up to 1.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the January 16 poll.
Addressing post-election security, Basiru acknowledged that violence in the state has subsided and urged groups, particularly the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), to resolve leadership disputes peacefully.
“Elections have come and gone,” Basiru concluded. “While the defeat was painful for us, it is now in the past. My message to APC members and the people of Osun is that we must close ranks, maintain peace, and focus on the progress and development of our state,” Basiru said.
